Families fleeing violence in DRC (Photo: © UNHCR)Congo crisis - what can we do?
“Our appeal would be first of all requesting prayers but also action in terms of advocacy, and if possible finding out ways of getting assistance for our brothers, sisters, mothers, and elders living in camps and now displaced in Goma and Rutshuru.” Rt Rev Bahati Bali-Busane Bishop of Bukavu
Four ways you can support the people of eastern Congo, from CMS regional manager Stephen Burgess
Pray
Four ways you can support the people of eastern Congo, from CMS regional manager Stephen Burgess
Pray
“Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour me.” Psalm 50:15
Remember the people in Goma and Rutshuru – women, children, elders – displaced from their homes, and the tears, hunger, pain and fear caused by insecurity.
Remember the church workers, aid workers, MONUC.
Pray for the Diocese of Bukavu, especially in Goma and Rutshuru, for strength and wisdom in serving the people and ministering to the needs of displaced people. Pray for Bishop Bahati and the church leaders in Goma and Rutshuru.
As tensions mount, please pray for Rwanda and DR Congo to find a way forward. Pray for the Rwanda and DRC governments, presidents Kagame of Rwanda and Kabila of DRC, and the rebel groups to engage in dialogue and honour the peace agreements.
Please pray for God to overrule in these tensions and for peace to prevail.
Pray today 7/11/2008 for a meeting in Nairobi of African leaders to try to resolve the crisis and implement the Jan 2008 peace agreement. The Presidents of Rwanda , DRC, Uganda , Tanzania , Kenya , Burundi , Zambia , South Africa , Congo-Brazzaville , Central African Republic (CAR), Angola and Sudan are also scheduled to take part in the talks. The UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon as well as the Jean Ping, Secretary General will also be in attendance - http://allafrica.com/stories/200811070011.html.
Be informed
Be informed
Related Stories DR Congo Country Focus More background to fightingWho's suffering in the Congo now?
Aside from the CMS website and the BBC, here are some other useful sources of information:
Aside from the CMS website and the BBC, here are some other useful sources of information:
- allAfrica.com - good news service.
- BBC World Service radio programme Radio Okapi - UN Congolese radio in French.
- Congo Advocacy Coalition document Digital Congo Pro-DRC news website.
Advocate
- Write to your MP, to stress that the British government should take action.
- Write to your MEP.
- Write to Lord Malloch-Brown, the minister for Africa, Asia and the UN (read his recent exchanges in the Lords here).
- Write to David Miliband, UK foreign secretary.
Find out addresses: http://www.writetothem.com/
Key points to include in your letter:
The people of Eastern Congo are suffering and have been for many years. We urge the government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and also engage with the key actors to find a long term solution.
Thank them that UK government has taken the situation seriously, shown by David Miliband visiting Goma.
The MONUC mandate and operation needs to be re-examined, and strengthened: they are not providing peace ot he civilian population.
Pressure needs to be put on both Rwandan and DRC governments and the rebel groups to ensure that the recent peace agreements are fully signed-up to and implemented. This includes members of both the Hutu (FDLR/ Interahamwe) and Tutsi (Nkunda's) rebel groups. (Click here for more detail about the Amani programme, the Congolese government’s peace plan for the region.)
The alleged involvement of Rwanda in the ongoing instability in both North Kivu and South Kivu districts must be examined.
Give
Give
CMS has received a request from the Diocese of Bukavu for humanitarian assistance. Many displaced people are in the church compounds in Goma and Rutshuru. We are able to send funds to Bukavu Diocese.
Keep giving to longer term work in Congo. Equipping the leadership of the church to inspire, teach and serve remains a key priority for Bishop Bahati of Bukavu as he responds to the continued insecurity.
You can help CMS financially support the training of pastors, both in the dioceses and at the provincial theological college, I'Institut Superieur Theologique Anglican (ISThA). Other recent initiatives supported include peace and reconciliation seminars throughout the east of the country, trauma counselling for victims of rape in the civil war, community development and the production of a youth citizenship manual that is to be used in schools throughout the country. See the CMS website for details on how to give.
Keep giving to longer term work in Congo. Equipping the leadership of the church to inspire, teach and serve remains a key priority for Bishop Bahati of Bukavu as he responds to the continued insecurity.
You can help CMS financially support the training of pastors, both in the dioceses and at the provincial theological college, I'Institut Superieur Theologique Anglican (ISThA). Other recent initiatives supported include peace and reconciliation seminars throughout the east of the country, trauma counselling for victims of rape in the civil war, community development and the production of a youth citizenship manual that is to be used in schools throughout the country. See the CMS website for details on how to give.
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Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Homeless.
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